# Chapter 19
Chapter 19
“The way he causes misunderstandings is still the same.”
His direct method of speaking made it easy for others to misinterpret his intentions.
And, as expected, all the court ladies behind Cayena gasped.
They exchanged glances, wondering if this could be a sign of romantic interest.
But Cayena, who received his comment, did not misunderstand at all.
“You seem to like the tea I served last time.
“The tea was definitely delicious,” Raphael replied.
“…I wasn't asking for your impression.
“I thought I should give you a thank you gift.
When Raphael nodded, his assistant handed Vera a box wrapped in cloth.
She opened the box.
There were three silver containers inside, shaped like cylinders.
The delicately crafted containers were beautiful.
On the handle of the lid, there was a ruby cut into a circle.
“…aren’t these tea leaves the ones you can only buy at auction?”
Cayena instantly recognized the packaging.
It was well known.
This brand of black tea was considered difficult to obtain, even with money, because the production volume was small.
It seemed like too much of a gift, but it wasn't a bad excuse for a reunion.
“Take all of this away,” Cayena instructed, heading for the servants to put away the tea leaves, as well as the jewelry the emperor had given her.
Several of her ladies-in-waiting and maids left to carry out her orders.
“It seems that the things I said last time were quite informative, seeing as you even prepared a return gift.
She only advised him to meet Olivia, but Raphael hasn't met her yet.
And technically, it wouldn't solve her problems like she claimed it would.
“I haven't met Lady Olivia Grace yet.
“Is that so?
— Cayena looked out the window.
— It's a good day.
Why don't we go for a walk?
With that, she was inviting him to go out and talk.
Raphael nodded.
“As you wish.
As soon as they agreed to go for a walk, Vera said: — Then I will prepare an umbrella, Your Highness.
“He is well.
Sometimes it's good to get a little sun.
Raphael approached Cayena and offered his arm to accompany her.
As before, Cayena held his arm very loosely.
“Since he hates touching people.”
She didn't notice Raphael's strange look because she was only focusing on that part.
“Let's walk to the back garden.
In a corner of the back garden, there was a path decorated like a quiet country road.
This was the location Cayena suggested to him.
At the front of the path, Cayena abandoned her ladies-in-waiting.
“You should all wait here.
“Yes, Your Majesty.
Even Raphael told his assistants not to follow him.
The two walked along the secluded path.
As soon as the gazes that followed them disappeared, Cayena removed her hand from his arm.
Raphael paused for a moment, then lowered his arm.
“It's surprising that Sir Kedrey isn't trying to avoid being alone with me.
With that, Raphael's gaze traveled to Cayena's profile.
Without thinking, his eyes were drawn to her golden hair, which gently brushed her cheek.
“Is there any reason why I should avoid her?
Cayena turned her head and met his eyes.
His gaze seemed to question why he asked something so obvious.
“What if I make you uncomfortable by being around you, like I did once?
He knew she had changed, but he didn't know she would describe her past with so much bitterness.
It was as if she was talking about someone else entirely.
Of course, it wasn't that he didn't distrust Cayena.
Cayena didn't stop talking at just that, however.
“I don't think you'll believe me right away, but anyway, I want to apologize to you.
She stopped walking.
There was a distance of about two steps between the two.
It was a suitably polite distance.
“I hope you forgive me for all my disrespect so far.
Could a person change their attitude that quickly?
Normally, no.
So Raphael didn't carelessly accept that Cayena's apology was sincere.
He wouldn't be surprised if she suddenly reversed and called him by his nickname.
However, the act of apologizing was meaningful, regardless of whether it was sincere.
“This is a political gesture.”
Since Cayena was from the imperial family, she could take somebut freedoms when I liked someone.
This was true even if the object of his affection was the young master of the Kedrey Duchy.
If her interest in Raphael cooled, it was okay for her to act like she had never been interested in the first place.
However, Cayena refused to do so and apologized, speaking openly.
That meant there was a reason for her to keep him from holding a grudge against her.
“What could that reason be?”
He thought it might be an extension of the last time she tried to resolve her issues.
“I'm being sincere, so accept my apology.
Raphael started to get defensive.
Cayena seemed to have expected this, as she staked her honor this time.
“I swear on my honor I won't do it again.
At this point, Raphael became very curious.
What exactly did she want to negotiate to do all this?
He realized he had to accept this apology to find out what Cayena wanted from him.
“It's water under the bridge.
You don't need to worry about that now.
Raphael thought it was a political move, but Cayena's apology was actually kind of sincere.
Apologizing like this and being forgiven eased some of the guilt that remained in Cayena's heart.
It was the residual guilt of his life before returning, although Raphael couldn't remember it.
“Thanks.
Then, she managed to smile, feeling relieved.
The wind lightly ruffled her flowing golden hair.
It was good to see that smile.
It was a little strange for Raphael to think such a thing.
How did that smile make him feel this way?
He tilted his head slightly.
He didn't understand this situation, this mood, nor his feelings.
“Then I'm sure you realized I had other intentions.
I'll tell you now.
His previous feeling didn't last long.
This is because Cayena returned to focusing on business.
The smile on Cayena's mouth disappeared as she became serious once again.
Raphael strangely felt regretful.
“I asked you to meet Lady Grace.
She herself is brilliant, but there are also political reasons for this.
As they began to return to the garden, she explained why.
“I will select Lady Olivia as one of my ladies-in-waiting soon.
Although Rezef had already asked her to be Cayena's courtesan, that wasn't enough to make it happen.
“In that case, couldn't we roughly predict Duchess Kedrey's reaction?
“She will cut off her support for the Grace family and act as if the marriage talks never happened.
“Exactly.
But it's not just Olivia who matters.
“Do you mean to say that the other two ladies who were in talks with my mother will also be selected as her court ladies?
Cayena shook her head.
“No.
Instead, there will be other reasons for not being able to choose those families.
Reasons why he couldn't choose these families?
Raphael said the first thing that came to mind.
“Will you support the prince or Archduke Heinrich as the next emperor?
"If I could do that, it would be a great method.
But it's a little difficult to do in such a short time."
Cayena read the original novel and had a lot of information.
For example, corruption or a family scandal.
“As nobles do not function, they often lose their sense of reality.
They think money grows on trees.
“You're saying they're losing titles and being mortgaged by another family.
If so, the head of the family will be replaced.
It was a rare event, but still quite annoying.
“It's hard to know for sure unless you actually check the account book.
Cayena continued.
— The Avon family's ties will soon be lost and its existence will be in danger.
Your dukedom can potentially pay off the debt.
But what if Archduke Heinrich was involved in that event?
“Archduke Heinrich…?
The incomparably cunning old fox actively used the debt of others to grow in power.
He bankrupted a family and placed them under his control.
This way, he quickly became stronger.
“Then the last remaining option would be the Brukin family.
But I'm sure marriage talks with them will also end.
“Why do you believe that?
“Rita Brukin has hereditary madness.
This news remains within your family now, but I'm sure it will be exposed to the nobre society soon.
In an aristocratic society, where it is necessary to give birth to a successor who will inherit the family, it was a fatal blow to marriage prospects.
“Well, that made all of Duchess Kedrey's chosen families useless.
Congratulations on breaking off your engagement, Sir Kedrey.
Between these incidents, the only thing that Cayena directly affected was her attempt to win over Olivia Grace.
“Because the two must be together, other families must have flaws.”
And thanks to this, Cayena was able to use the information for her own safety.
“According to your words, I won’t have to get married for a while.
“That's correct.
“So, what are you up to, Your Highness?
Cayena responded without hesitation.
“Your trust.
Raphael was silent at these unexpected words.
"Her confidence?
Why does she need it?"